Who wouldn't want to hang out with Robert Griffin III? / Nick Wass, AP

by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

Breathe easy Redskins nation, Robert Griffin III's father told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday that his son will start Sunday against the Cleveland Browns in a critical game for the Washington Redskins' playoff push.

The rookie quarterback's sprained right knee, suffered late in Sunday's overtime win against the Baltimore Ravens, has improved enough that the dynamic Redskins leader told his dad he intends to play in a bid to lead the Redskins to the postseason for the first time since 2007.

"He's doing great,'' Robert Griffin II told USA TODAY Sports. "He definitely said he plans to start. I haven't seen him (the last two days). But he told me (today) everything has gone well.''

Coach Mike Shanahan said Monday that Griffin, whose leg bent back violently after colliding with 6-4, 350-pound defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, was not ruled out with what Shanahan termed a Grade 1, mild sprain. Now we know why.

Griffin, who sat out one play against the Ravens, then returned for four more until the pain proved too great, said the sprained right collateral ligament stiffened Sunday night. But after some mild swelling, the knee has responded.

"He's doing rehabilitation as far as the impact pain working with that,'' Griffin's dad said. "Monday he said he felt really good. Today he felt better. Every day he's getting better. Monday he had no problems and throughout the workout, he had no problems.''

Griffin's father laughed when told that he and his wife raised one tough quarterback.

"Hopefully, he'll let the running back do all the running,'' Griffin II said. "I was with him, so I knew he was OK. There was some immediate swelling. But they took care of the pain management.''